Report: Sixers ‘would Have Strong Interest’ In Center Moussa Cisse

It’s no secret that backup center is currently the biggest question mark for the Philadelphia 76ers’ roster, a situation exacerbated by Ariel Hukporti’s season-ending Achilles injury. As Mike Gansey surveys the NBA landscape for a solution, one name that has come up is current Dallas Mavericks center Moussa Cisse. Per reporting from Marc Stein:

“If Cissé were to be waived Monday and then clear waivers Wednesday, I’m also told that the 76ers and Lakers would have strong interest in signing him to a two-way deal even though neither team currently has a two-way opening.”

However: “The Stein Line has learned, however, that Cissé is a real candidate to be claimed off waived in the event he is let go. Chicago, sources say, has interest in the high-energy big man. I’m told Atlanta also has interest even though the Hawks don’t currently have an open standard spot.”

Obviously, there are a few if-then’s in play here. The Mavericks would need to waive Cisse, no one would have to pick him up off waivers (something Stein thinks would happen), and he would need to select Philadelphia as his two-way spot destination (something I think would have a good chance of happening given the relatively clear path to some playing time).

On Monday, it became increasingly less likely Dallas would be waiving Cisse, as they instead released veteran Dwight Powell.

The Dallas Mavericks are waiving veteran center Dwight Powell, sources tell ESPN.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2026

So I wouldn’t be ordering those Cisse custom black Iverson-era jerseys just yet. Still, the 6-foot-11, 24-year-old is highly athletic and fits the rim-running, shot blocker role the Sixers are looking for in a backup. He’s a name to keep an eye on over the next few days.

More broadly looking at the center position, Philadelphia has a few options at the moment. Joel Embiid is healthy and ready to start on opening night against the New York Knicks. The team also feels good about Adem Bona returning from his foot injury to take the floor after missing the entire preseason. Bona recently had this to say to reporters about making his way back to the court the last few weeks:

“Mentally, it’s been great. I’ve been able to come back. Getting back out there, working with the team. I’ve had amazing practices with the team. It’s been great. I’m feeling good and excited to get back out there on the court. It’s been going good so far.”

He added the following on his availability for the opener:

“Yeah. It’s going to come down to the coaches and the medical staff, but I’m just day to day and I’m excited for (Tuesday) night.”

With Jabari Walker and Dean Wade (though he’s also banged up) available as small-ball five options in certain situations, the Sixers appear set as long as everyone is healthy. For games where Embiid is sitting due to load management on a back-to-back, we would expect recent two-way signing Tacko Fall to assume some minutes. The Sixers have five back-to-backs prior to Dec. 4.

Dec. 4 is a significant date because given the pro-rated nature minimum signings against the salary cap, that is when the team would be able to fill the 15th roster spot with a free agent center option and still remain under the salary cap apron. Kevin Love is one name mentioned often due to the LeBron connection. Another option would be to trade for someone making around the minimum, with Justin Edwards a salary-match candidate with a $2.4 million contract this season and a team option next season that would effectively operate as an expiring. Philadelphia could certainly go the trade route with Cisse, for example.

Undoubtedly, the Sixers would like to have more confident options at their disposal. However, given the strength of the rest of the roster, there are certainly worse problems a team could have heading into a season. We know the front office will continue to monitor the market and look for the best path forward in the days and weeks ahead.